As the LDS Sunday School Gospel Doctrine curriculum turns in coming weeks to the later chapters of the book of Alma and the stories there about Captain Moroni, the Stripling Warriors, along with various wars and war strategies, assassinations, and other accounts of events that unfolded between the Nephites and Lamanites, we are pleased to host this discussion that aims to assist with in-class experiences. Joining Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon are wonderful scholars and thinkers, and also current Gospel Doctrine teachers, Patrick Mason and David Pulsipher as they examine various ways to better understand some the messages about war within the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants. How can we separate what is merely “descriptive” of events that took place within the history of the Book of Mormon peoples from that which are “prescriptive” attitudes and actions that God endorses? How might understanding Mormon as the primary narrator of these sections give us a better sense of why certain things are present? In what ways might Mormon's accounting for the events that take place (including accounts of the way the Anti-Nephi-Lehies approached those who sought to destroy them) also be evidence of his own journey that led by the time of his death to different attitudes toward war? How should we as Latter-day Saints engage teachings about war and when violence is justified against one’s enemies found in D&C 98 in concert with the messages found within these sections of the Book of Mormon? And there's so much more!

This is a fantastic discussion with great richness and wisdom for approaching these scriptures and setting up conditions for possibly very rich discussions within our upcoming Sunday School classes!